The Jeep Wrangler’s adventurous image and off-road capabilities make it enticing for a first vehicle. But its limitations as a daily driver and ownership costs present challenges many first time buyers underestimate.
Weigh the Wrangler’s pros and cons carefully before deciding if its the right fit or overreach as your initial set of wheels. This article provides expert insight to help properly set expectations for those considering a Wrangler as their first vehicle.
Are Wranglers Good For New Car Owners?
The short answer is – it depends. A Wrangler can be a great first vehicle for the right driver and lifestyle. However, it does come with some drawbacks that first time owners should consider. Evaluate your needs, budget, driving style and intentions with the Wrangler to decide if it’s the best fit.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fun, adventurous image | Expensive purchase and ownership costs |
| Capable off-road vehicle | Rough ride quality on-road |
| Removable doors and roof for open air feel | Lots of wind and road noise |
| Great resale value | Poor fuel economy |
| Endless customization options | Not as safe as other vehicles |
As an ASE certified technician for 15 years and Jeep owner for over a decade, I want to provide some expert insight to help you make this big decision. Here’s what any first time Jeep buyer needs to consider:
Is This Your Primary Vehicle?
Jeep Wranglers hold their value exceptionally well, making the used market very expensive. You’ll be hard pressed to find a good condition used one under $15,000. And new Wranglers start around $30k.
With their rugged off-road abilities, young buyers are drawn to the adventurous and fun image of the Wrangler. But most teenagers and young adults on a budget are better suited starting with a more affordable and practical first vehicle. Wranglers require a lot more expensive maintenance and repairs that may overwhelm first time owners.
However, if you have the means to afford it, using a Wrangler as your primary vehicle is doable. Just be prepared for the ownership costs and understand its limitations as a daily driver.
How Do You Plan To Use It?
Wranglers excel off-road. Their body-on-frame construction, solid axles, serious ground clearance and 4WD systems let them traverse rugged terrain better than any other production vehicle.
If you envision taking your Wrangler on off-road adventures, then it may be the perfect first vehicle. Wranglers inspire owners to get outdoors more and you’ll have endless options customizing it for the trails.
If you only plan to drive it around town and on the highway, you may want to reconsider. Its truck underpinnings sacrifice on-road comfort and manners compared to other SUVs. You end up paying more upfront and at the pump without utilizing its superb off-road talents.
Can You Afford The Ownership Costs?
There’s no sugarcoating it – Wranglers are expensive to own. here’s why:
Gas Mileage
With their brick-like aerodynamics and heavy weight, Wranglers get awful fuel economy. 15-19 mpg is considered decent. Plus, their thirst grows exponentially with bigger tires and heavier mods.
Improving economy was a top priority when Jeep redesigned the current JL generation. But even with advancements like adding turbocharging, mild hybrid systems and an upcoming plug-in hybrid, Wranglers still rate among the worst SUVs.
Insurance
Insurers classify Wranglers among the more expensive vehicles to insure. Expect to pay around $1500-2000 per year for basic coverage depending on your age, location and driving record. Adding custom mods will further raise premiums.
Maintenance
While mechanically straightforward, Wranglers need far more routine maintenance than typical vehicles. Their drivetrain components wear faster and the chassis requires frequent lubrication to prevent premature wear. Brakes, shocks and other parts tend to wear out quicker as well.
You’ll be changing fluids and lubricating grease fittings more often. Brake jobs may be needed yearly. Shocks last 30-40k miles before needing replacement. Expect to invest more time and money on preventative upkeep.
Repairs
When – not if – parts do fail, repairs on Wranglers cost substantially more than basic transportation vehicles. Common problems like replacing failed steering and suspension components can easily exceed $1000. Simple fixes like an alternator may run 2-3 times that of an economy car.
Owning a Jeep as your only vehicle while working or attending school can put you in a financial bind when these large, unavoidable repair bills sneak up on you. Have an emergency fund saved up.
Will This Be Your Daily Driver?
If you don’t have another vehicle, using a Wrangler as your primary transportation poses some challenges:
On-Road Manners
Don’t expect a cushy ride quality from those rugged solid axles and stiff off-road suspensions. Wranglers bounce, shudder and jostle occupants relentlessly on uneven pavement. It’s tiring taking long trips on the highway.
Steering requires constant corrections as they wander and pull on grooved concrete. Large tires magnify an already vague, slow steering feel making them tedious to drive in traffic and parking lots.
Noise & Comfort
Driving a box on wheels lacking modern sound insulation provides for noisy operation. Engine roar and road noise fatigue you faster, especially with the soft top models. Air turbulence will whip and buffet the cabin at higher speeds.
The upright seating and basic accommodations also limit comfort during long stints behind the wheel. Getting in and out requires more effort than a typical vehicle as well.
While manageable for short trips, driving a Wrangler regularly compounds these mild annoyances over time. For longer commutes, it’s best complemented by a more comfortable second vehicle.
Is This Your First Time Driving an SUV?
The Wrangler’s size and handling dynamics change drastically depending on chassis configuration. Learning to control one as your first vehicle poses added challenges.
Two-Door Model
The shorter wheelbase two-door Wrangler has quirky weight balance. Light in the rear, they tend to fishtail easier when merging onto highways or navigating slick conditions. Stay alert modulating throttle inputs smoothly to avoid spinning out.
Lifted Wranglers
Adding big off-road tires and lifting the suspension raises the center of gravity exponentially. This alters weight distribution and affects overall handling.
Lifted Wranglers sway more through turns and corners. Braking distances grow longer as well. Go slow re-acclimating yourself until you understand how modifications impact performance. Always run added ballast weight in the rear to counteract balance issues.
Soft Tops/No Doors
Driving an open-air Wrangler creates added variables to account for. Wind will catch the chassis like a sail without doors, pulling you off line. Driving characteristics vary greatly in rain or during storms. Go even slower with extra caution in these scenarios.
Mastering a stock Wrangler’s handling behaviors before customizing or deleting factory components represents a safer learning curve for first time drivers.
Will You Customize It?
One of the Wrangler’s biggest appeals lies in its endless customization potential. And many new owners – my younger self included – drastically overestimate how far they’ll modify their Jeep right off the bat.
It’s tempting envisioning your new Wrangler already equipped with all the coolest mods. But exhausting your budget on unnecessary upgrades too soon ultimately limits how much you can invest in the good components that really enhance capability down the road.
Start Slowly
I suggest minimal changes early on. Drive it stock initially. This lets you organically discover what its capabilities and limitations are before modifying anything.
After miles behind the wheel, you’ll learn exactly how you use it versus how you thought you would beforehand. Let your actual needs and budget dictate logical upgrades that improve functionality.
Upgrade In Stages
Map upgrade paths in stages using a prioritized plan balancing needs, cost and goalsRefrain from tackling everything at once. Methodically enhance weak points over timeguided by experience.
Carefully weigh out the value of each modification. Visual or “cool factor” upgrades that don’t improve practical use may not justify their cost long run. Always determine if cheaper alternatives exist too.
Conclusion
Wranglers allure new drivers by offering fun and freedom traditional first cars lack. But their rugged character mandates accepting substantial tradeoffs.
While misguided as mindless impulse purchases, Wranglers still prove reasonable starter vehicles if your expectations align with reality before committing.
The right owner willing to embrace the Wrangler’s total package finds themselves richly rewarded. But choosing one as your first vehicle shouldn’t be taken lightly either.
